RSS Padres Team Notes

[San Diego Padres]

Jose Miranda stays hot, leads Padres to 10-3 win

PEORIA, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 20: A detail view of the 2026 Cactus League logo on a San Diego Padres hat before a spring training game against the Seattle Mariners at Peoria Stadium on February 20, 2026 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jose Miranda agreed to a minor league deal with the San Diego Padres in December of 2025. He did not receive much attention in the months following his signing and kind of got lost in the roster discussion following the frenzy of moves made by the Padres on and after Valentine’s Day. The Padres, manager Craig Stammen and the Friar Faithful are very aware of Miranda after his first two Spring Training games with the organization, the second of which netted Stammen his first managerial win.

Miranda went 3-for-3 with a walk, two singles and a double with four RBI and a run scored to help the Padres get a 10-3 win over the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium in Surprise, Ariz. on Saturday. The production by Miranda on Saturday followed a 2-for-3 performance in a 7-4 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Friday. His two hits against the Mariners were a two-run home run and a double.

Jose Miranda doubles to drive in a run, making it 6-3 Padres in the top of the 8th. pic.twitter.com/UxwjUwaObY

— ️ Shawn (@Shawnimack) February 21, 2026

With limited bench spots available on the San Diego roster, players like Miranda who are battling for a spot cannot afford to have a poor performance. He seems to understand that and is looking to make the most of his opportunity with the Padres.

San Diego catcher Freddy Fermin also had a productive game against Kansas City in his first action of the spring. Fermin drove in the first run of the game in his second at-bat with a double to left in the top of the fifth inning. That followed his first at-bat when he connected on a well struck fly ball to center field that was knocked down by the wind for a flyout. Fermin also showed what he can do behind the plate throwing out Bobby Witt Jr. at second base on a pitch in the dirt in the bottom of the fourth inning. He also used the ABS challenge system successfully, getting a ball overturned to a strike.

It's time for the Ferminator pic.twitter.com/peNVb29KwX

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) February 21, 2026

Other notable offensive moments for Padres hitters against the Royals was a double by Bryce Johnson in the top of the first inning, a triple by Mason McCoy in the top of the second, a double by Ramon Laureano in the top of the third, a solo home run by Nick Solak in the top of the eighth and a double by Samad Taylor in the same inning. Taylor finished 2-for-2 with an RBI and two runs scored in the game. San Diego racked up 18 hits in the contest.

Matt Waldron, who is in competition for one of the final rotation spots for the Padres, started the game against the Royals and delivered two scoreless innings, allowing one walk and just one hit. Waldron faced Royals starters Jonathan India, Witt Jr., Vinny Pasquantino, Salvador Perez, Kyle Isbel, Dairon Blanco and John Rave. Blanco was the only player to record a hit against the San Diego starter.

Matt Waldron discusses his two scoreless innings against the Royals today, his knuckleball usage, being out of options this Spring, and more. pic.twitter.com/T8yMwcfPPV

— 97.3 The Fan (@973TheFanSD) February 21, 2026

The Padres return to the Peoria Sports Complex to host the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday at 12:10 p.m.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/game-recaps/53711/jose-miranda-stays-hot-leads-padres-to-10-3-win

 

[San Diego Padres]

Good Morning San Diego: Padres, manager Craig Stammen notch first win; Jackson Merrill ready to make most of his time in Peoria

Peoria, AZ - February 20: Jackson Merrill #3 of the San Diego Padres comes runs to the dugout during a spring training game against the Seattle Mariners on February 20, 2026 in Peoria, AZ. (Photo by K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images)

The San Diego Padres handed new manager Craig Stammen his first win in his new position with a 10-3 romp over the Kansas City Royals on the road on Saturday. The Padres will have a chance to repeat their success against much stiffer competition on Sunday when they take on the Los Angeles Dodgers at the Peoria Sports Complex. Jose Miranda has been the breakout player for San Diego after the first two games and is making a push to be added to the Padres roster as a depth option off the bench. There are still plenty of games to be played this spring before San Diego has to make a decision.

Padres News:

• Lincoln Zdunich of Gaslamp Ball takes a look at how the Padres will use the new ABS system. After two games, the Padres have had three successful challenges with the system from their catchers. Zdunich thinks the ability for catchers to know and understand the strike zone gives them the best chance to be successful.

• Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune has gathered news and notes about the Padres while spending his time in Peoria, Ariz. He touches on several topics including Miranda and the recovery of reliever Yuki Matsui. Acee added in a separate story that the Padres feel more prepared than they were in the 2023 season to deal with the impending absences for the World Baseball Classic.

• One of the reasons the Padres feel like they are in a better place to deal with absences of players created by their WBC appearances is third-year star Jackson Merrill. In a report from Dennis Lin of The Athletic, Merrill does not feel snubbed by not being asked to play for Team USA, adding he will get there someday. However, Merrill is going to make the most of his time in Peoria and work on becoming the leader he and the team believe he can be.

• Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune says the team has two options as the Padres progress this offseason, success or failure (not in those word).

• Nick Castellanos has played third base and the outfield in his major league career, but the new Padres slugger is being asked to play first base in San Diego. Castellanos showed some promise with some difficult plays against the Seattle Mariners according to AJ Cassavell of Padres.com.

Baseball News:

• Former Pittsburgh Pirates legend Bill Mazeroski died Friday and the team announced his passing on Saturday.

• Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees hit two home runs in his first Spring Training game. As impressive as it was, Spencer Jones may have topped Judge’s feat with a homerun of his own that left the stadium.

• The Dodgers claimed former Pirates outfielder Jack Suwinski off waivers. He adds another outfield depth piece to their already loaded roster. Kike Hernandez was assigned to the IL to make room for the addition.

• The St. Louis Cardinals and infielder Ramon Urias agreed to a deal Saturday.

• Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan was scratched from his start with back tightness, but the news came approximately 15 minutes before the start of the contest, which had many wondering if he was being traded.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...rill-ready-to-make-most-of-his-time-in-peoria